‘Daily Show’ scribe pens new musical of political satire

Matt Shimkus (in cowboy hat), as Joseph Coors, and ensemble members, as his company employees, perform the song ‘Envision’ from the Village Theatre original musical, ‘Watt?!?’ at First Stage. By Sam Freeman/Village Theatre

Irreverence is bliss.

That is apparent in “Watt?!?”, Village Theatre’s newest original musical from the brain of an established comedy mastermind. Based on the life of James Watt, President Ronald Reagan’s infamous Secretary of the Interior who took an extreme line against conservation and environmentalism, the referential production flies through his life like a rock n’ roll whirlwind. Satire and absurdity are on the agenda as Village Theatre’s talented actors display Watt’s most notable quotes and actions in song.

David Javerbaum, the Emmy award-winning former head writer of “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart,” and co-author of “America (The Book),” said using Watt as a protagonist just came to him out of the blue one day.

“I can’t say for any reason why,” Javerbaum said in a private, in-person interview. “I just started thinking very quickly that he would make a very good hero for a show.”